Commercial steam generating hand iron

ABSTRACT

A commercial steam generating hand iron having a steam generating chamber which is independent of the steam chambering of the soleplate. The iron has a handle, a soleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface and defining internal chambering for conveying steam through the soleplate to discharge apertures in the flat ironing surface and electric heating means for heating the soleplate to selected elevated temperatures. A cartridge member defining an elongate, tortuous vaporizing chamber is interposed and clamped between the heating means and the soleplate. The vaporizing chamber comprises a plurality of courses extending lengthwise of the soleplate and is in flow communication with the chambering in the soleplate at one end of the vaporizing chamber and with a water valve at the other end. Water is supplied to the valve from a remote source and is admitted to the vaporizing chamber by a valve operating lever on the iron. Preferably the cartridge member is flat and of a highly heat transmissive material, such as brass, and lies against flat surfaces of the soleplate and heating means, thereby most efficiently to heat the soleplate and to vaporize the water admitted to the vaporizing chamber.

United States Patent [191 Mackey a COMMERCIAL STEAM GENERATING HAND IRON Inventor: George R. Mackey, Evanston, Ill.

Bishop Freeman Company, Evanston, Ill.

Filed: Mar. 29, 1974 App]. No.: 456,043

Assignee:

US. Cl. 38/77.6, 38/77.83 Int. Cl. D05f 75/05 Field of Search 38/77.6, 77.83, 77.9, 77.5,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1943 Sussman 38/77.6

12/1950 Chapin... 38/77.6 12/1958 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or FirmDressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

Praud 38/77.6

[451 Dec. 10, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A commercial steam generating hand iron having a steam generating chamber which is independent of the steam chambering of the soleplate. The iron has a handle, a soleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface and defining internal chambering for conveying steam through the soleplate to discharge apertures in the flat ironing surface and electric heating means for heating the soleplate to selected elevated temperatures. A cartridge member defining an elongate, tortuous vaporizing chamber is interposed and clamped between the heating means and the soleplate. The vaporizing chamber comprises a plurality of courses extending lengthwise of the soleplate and is in flow communication with the chambering in the soleplate at one end of the vaporizing chamber and with a water valve at the other end. Water is supplied to the valve from a remote source and is admitted to the vaporizing chamher by a valve operating lever on theiron. Preferably the cartridge member is flat and of a highly heat transmissive material, such as brass, and lies against flat surfaces of the soleplate and heating means, thereby most efficiently to heat the soleplate and to vaporize the water admitted to the vaporizing chamber.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures COMMERCIAL STEAM GENERATING HAND IRON This invention relates to an improved steam generating hand iron, and more particularly to a steam generating hand iron especially'adapted for commercial use.

A wide variety of steam discharging hand irons is presently available. Of the steam irons generally available for domestic use, steam is generated internally, usually in the soleplate. However, where steam irons are intended for full-time, daily use, i.e., for commercial use, the types of irons which are available for domestic use are not satisfactory.

Commercial steam discharging handirons most frequently receive steam from a remote source. In such cases, frequently a steam line is carried from a remote boiler to the iron and the steam isthen introduced into the heated soleplate for discharge throughappropriate steam discharge apertures in the soleplate. The use of such a boiler system requires elaborate steam generating equipment, including a steam boiler and a line to carry the steam to the iron. When steam is to be introduced into the soleplate for discharge through the apertures, a valve at the iron is operated, following which there is usually a delay from the time the valve is operated until the steam reaches the iron for discharge therefrom. Not only is there a delay in the availability of the steam, but condensation tends to form in the line between the boiler and the iron, and this results in the carrying of entrained moisture into the soleplate of the iron. Further, such systems limit the portability of such irons, limiting their use to in-plant operations. Additionally, it is necessary, with such irons, carefully to insulate the steam lines to prevent injuries to the opera tor.

In accordance with the present invention, a steam generating iron is provided in which water may be carried directly to the steam iron through a water line and steam may be generated in the iron itself. This may be accomplished without requiring any substantial modification of a conventional commercial steam iron and without requiring any additional heat input to the iron beyond what is normally required for heating the soleplate. Many of the problems attendant the use of conventional commercial steam irons are eliminated.

To that end, a more or less conventional commercial steam iron is provided with a steam generating chamber which is independent of the steam chambering of the soleplate. Desirably, a commercial steam generating hand iron of this invention comprises a handle, a

soleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface and defining internal chambering for conveying steam through the soleplate to discharge aperturesin the flat ironing surface and electric heating means for heating the soleplate to selected elevated temperatures. Water is'supplied from a remote source by a water supply conduit which is under the control of a water valve mounted on the iron and which has a valve operating lever adjacent to the handle which may be operated while an operator is holding the iron by the handle.

A member defining an elongate, tortuous vaporizing chamber is interposed between the heating means and the soleplate. The chamber, which preferably comprises a plurality of courses extending lengthwise of the soleplate, is in flow communication with the chambering in the soleplate at one end of said vaporizing chamber and with the water valve at the other end. A conduit means is provided for placing the vaporizing chamber and the water valve in flow communication at said other end when said valve operating lever is operated.

The heating means is clamped against the member defining the vaporizing chamber and maintains that member against the soleplate, thereby to position the heating means both to heat said vaporizing chamber and said soleplate to vaporize water introduced into said vaporizing chamber and to heat the steam introduced into said chambering.

Preferably the vaporizing chamber member is a flat cartridge of a highly heat transmissive material, such as brass, and the flat cartridge lies against flat surfaces Further objects, advantages, and features of this invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a steam generating hand iron of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view, partially broken away, of the hand iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the soleplate of the hand iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a steam generating cartridge portion of the hand iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of portions of the hand iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of an assembled soleplate and steam generating cartridge of the hand iron of FIG. 1, and generally in the location indicated by the line 77 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings, a steam generating, heated hand iron 10 of this invention is seen to include a soleplate 20 and a handle 22. Soleplate 20 provides an expansive flat ironing surface 40 and has a wide rear end which gradually tapers to a point at its forward tip edge (see FIG. 3). Soleplate 20 is heated to selected elevated temperatures by an electrical resistance heating element 24 of a conventional type. Heating element 24 is under the control of a temperature control switch 34.

A generally flat steam generating cartridge 26 is positioned between heating element 24 and the upper surface 25 of soleplate 20. Heating element 24 has a generally flat lower surface and bears against the flat upper surface of cartridge 26, the lower flat surface of which is held against the generally flat upper surface 25 of soleplate 20, all across most of their confronting ex panses. They are held against each other by a holddown clamp 28.

Cartridge 26, heating element 24, and soleplate 20 are clampingly maintained in the respective positions illustrated in the drawings by hold-down clamp 28 by a series of nuts which are threaded on a pair of studs 32 which are secured at the upper surface of soleplate 20. The clamped assembly is covered by a cover 30, which in turn is held in position, as by acorn nuts 38 which are also threaded on the studs 32. Handle 22 is mounted on a pair of brackets 36, the lower ends of which are also suitably secured to the iron via the studs 32.

Soleplate 20 itself may be constructed generally in accordance with Smith US. Pat. No. 2,285,757. Soleplate 20 may be shaped as shown in FIG. 3 and has a generally flat upper surface '25 and a flat ironing surface 40 defining a desired pattern of steam discharge apertures 42 which open downwardly and outwardly of ironing surface 40. Internally, soleplate 20 defines chambering for conveying steam through the soleplate to the apertures 42. Steam discharge apertures 42 terminate inwardly in an expansive steam discharge chamber which is supplied with steam from a source of steam to be described received through soleplate inlet opening 44. Steam entering through inlet 44 passes through a tortuous path consisting of a series of expansion chambers 46 which are connected by connecting passages 48. From these chambers and passages, steam passes into an expansive discharge chamber (see US. Pat. No. 2,285,757) for discharge through the discharge apertures 42. Because soleplate 20 is heated by electric heating element 24, any entrained moisture carried by the steam is converted into steam, so that only dry steam is discharged through discharge apertures 42.

Electrical resistance heating element 24 is provided with current through a source of electrical power, such as through power cord 50. The conductors of cord 50 are suitably connected, through temperature control switch 34, to terminals 52, all in a conventional manner.

Steam is introduced to soleplate 20 through soleplate steam inlet opening 44 from a steam generating cartridge 26. Steam generating cartridge 26 comprises a pair of plates which are sealingly brazed together at their peripheries, both at their outer edges as well as at the opening 56 provided to allow studs 32 to project upwardly.

A vaporizing or steam generating chamber 60 is provided between the plates. It is preferably provided by forming, as by milling or grinding an elongate tortuous groove in a first plate 62. A flat second plate 64 is positioned over the groove to form the enclosed, elongate tortuous vaporizing chamber 60. As seen in FIG. 4, the chamber 60 comprises a plurality of courses which extend lengthwise of the soleplate. Preferably plates 62 and 64 are of a highly heat transmissive material, such as brass.

One end of the chamber 60 terminates in a steam discharge opening or outlet 66. Steam discharge outlet 66 is provided with a dip tube 68 which extends downwardly into steam inlet opening 44 thereby to place the soleplate chambering in flow communication with the vaporizing chamber 60. Steam inlet 44 terminates upwardly in a recess 70 which is formed in soleplate surface 25, which recess is configured to seat a sealing gasket, such as an O-ring 72. O-ring 72 is proportioned to seal against the lower surface 74 of cartridge 26 when cartridge 26 is positioned against the soleplate and is clamped in position by hold-down clamp 28. O-ring 72 thereby serves to seal steam discharge opening 66 to steam opening 44, hence to place the cartridge and soleplate in sealing engagement at the openings to place the operiings in flow communication and to pre vent the escape of steam from between said openings and from between soleplate 20 and cartridge 26.

At its inlet end, steam chamber 60 mounts an inlet fitting which is suitably and sealingly secured to cartridge 26. A water supply line 82, which desirably passes through handle 22, conveys water from a source remote from the iron and communicates with a water inlet valve 84. lnlet valve 84 mounts a valve operating lever or member 86 adjacent the handle and which is operable to open and close valve 84 in response to downward pressure on the handle 86 by an operator as he holds the iron by the handle 22. When lever 86 is moved downwardly, water, which is preferably demineralized or deionized, is allowed to flow through water supply line 82, through the body of inlet valve 84 and downwardly through supply line 88, where it enters chamber 60 through fitting 80. Water may be supplied from a water line in which a demineralizer or deionizer is placed or from a source of dstilled water. It may also be supplied from a small portable tank, enhancing the portability of steam generating irons disclosed herein.

As it passes through the courses of chamber 60, under the influence of the heat provided by electric heating element 24, the water is converted into steam so that by the time it exits the other end of the chamber 60 through steam discharge outlet 66, it has been substantially converted into steam. If any entrained moisture should remain, as the steam passes through the chambering in soleplate 20, such moisture is completely converted into high quality steam therein.

It has been found that the interposition of a steam generating member, such as cartridge 26, between the heating element 24 and the soleplate 20 does not adversely affect the heating of soleplate 20 which is normally in direct contact with the heating element 24. Thus, the heating element 28 adequately and satisfactorily serves both to heat the soleplate 20 to desired elevated temperatures and to convert water to steam in the vaporizing chamber, such as cartridge 26. Because the steam is generated internally, rather than drawn from a remote source, and with the valving arrangement provided, the iron of this invention produces high quality steam substantially instantaneously and also shuts off almost immediately, a substantial advantage over most commercial steam irons which are currently available.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there has been shown and described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the inventionto the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A commercial steam generating hand iron comprising a handle, a soleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface and defining internal chambering for conveying steam through said soleplate to discharge apertures in said flat ironing surface, means for heating said soleplate to selected elevated temperatures, a water supply line for conveying water from a source remote from said iron to said iron, a water valve mounted on said iron and having a valve operating member adjacent said handle, said member being operable by an operator while said operator is holding said iron by said handle, means defining an enclosed elongate, tortuous vaporizing chamber positioned between said heating means and said soleplate, said vaporizing chamber being in flow communication with said chambering in said soleplate at one end of said vaporizing chamber and with said water valve at its other end, conduit means for placing said vaporizing chamber and said water valve in flow communication at said other end when said valve operating member is operated, and means for securing said heating means to said iron and for maintaining said vaporizing chamber between said heating means and said soleplate, thereby to position said heating means both to heat said vaporizing chamber and said soleplate to vaporize water introduced into said vaporizing chamber and to heat the steam introduced into said chambering.

2. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 1 in which said securing means is a clamp positioned against said heating means and clamping said vaporizing chamber means between said heating means and said soleplate.

3. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 1 in which said soleplate defines a soleplate inlet opening adjacent said one end and said means defining said vaporizing chamber defines a chamber outlet opening adjacent said one end, and means sealingly placing said soleplate and chamber openings in flow communication, thereby to place said chambering and said vaporizing chamber in flow communication with each other.

4. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 1 in which said means defining said vaporizing chamber is a flat cartridge, said cartridge defining said elongate, tortuous chamber comprising a plurality of courses therein.

5. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 4 in which said soleplate defines a soleplate opening adjacent said one end and said cartridge defines an overlying chamber opening adjacent said one end, a sealing gasket surrounding said openings and in sealing engagement with said cartridge and said soleplate thereby to place said openings in flow communication and to prevent the escape of steam from between said openings.

6. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 4 in which said soleplate defines a generally flat upper surface and said heating means defines a generally flat lower surface, and said flat cartridge engages both of said flat surfaces over 'most of their'confronting expanses thereby to heat said cartridge and to heat said soleplate.

7. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 4 inwhich said cartridge is formed of a first plate defining a tortuous groove having a plurality of courses extending lengthwise of the soleplate and a second overlying plate sealed thereto, thereby to define said enclosed elongate, tortuous chamber.

8. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 7 in which said soleplate defines a soleplate inlet opening adjacent said one end and said cartridge defines an overlying chamber outlet opening adjacent said one end, a sealing gasket surrounding said openings and in sealing engagement with said cartridge and with said soleplate thereby to place said openings in flow communication and to prevent the escape of steam from between said openings.

9. A commercial, steam generating hand iron having a handle, a soleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface and defining internal chambering for conveying steam through said soleplate to discharge apertures in said flat ironing surface, electric heating means for heating said soleplate to selected elevated temperatures, a water supply line passing through said handle for conveying water from a source remote from said iron to said iron, a water valve mounted on said iron and having a valve operating member adjacent said handle, said member being operable by an operator while said operator is holding said iron by said handle, a cartridge defining an enclosed elongate vaporizing chamber having a plurality of courses extending lengthwise of the soleplate, said cartridge being positioned between said heating means and said soleplate and 'being in flow communication with the chambering in said soleplate at one end of said chamber and with said water valve at its other end through overlying openings, one being in said cartridge and the other being in said soleplate at said one end, and means sealing said openings to prevent the escape of steam, conduit means for placing said vaporizing chamber and said water valve inflow communication at said other end when said valve operating member is operated, and means for clamping said cartridge between said heating means and said soleplate thereby to position said heating means both to heat said cartridge and said soleplate to vaporize water introduced into said vaporizing chamber and to heat the steam introduced into said chambering.

' mums STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFECATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,852,899 Dated December 10, 1974 In\ rentor'(s) George R. Mackgy It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are heresy corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 14 "handle" should be lever Claim 1, Column 4, line 68, delete "mounted"; I

Column 5, line 1, delete "on said iron" and substitute in flow communication with said water supply line I same line, after "member" insert mounted on said iron Signed and sealed this 18th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Arresting Officer and Trademarks FORM PO-1050 (10-69) I v usco ca 60376 i MM- -P69 

1. A commercial steam generating hand iron comprising a handle, a soleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface and defining internal chambering for conveying steam through said soleplate to discharge apertures in said flat ironing surface, means for heating said soleplate to selected elevated temperatures, a water supply line for conveying water from a source remote from said iron to said iron, a water valve mounted on said iron and having a valve operating member adjacent said handle, said member being operable by an operator while said operator is holding said iron by said handle, means defining an enclosed elongate, tortuous vaporizing chamber positioned between said heating means and said soleplate, said vaporizing chamber being in flow communication with said chambering in said soleplate at one end of said vaporizing chamber and with said water valve at its other end, conduit means for placing said vaporizing chamber and said water valve in flow communication at said other end when said valve operating member is operated, and means for securing said heating means to said iron and for maintaining said vaporizing chamber between said heating means and said soleplate, thereby to position said heating means both to heat said vaporizing chamber and said soleplate to vaporize water introduced into said vaporizing chamber and to heat the steam introduced into said chambering.
 2. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 1 in which said securing means is a clamp positioned against said heating means and clamping said vaporizing chamber means between said heating means and said soleplate.
 3. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 1 in which said soleplate defines a soleplate inlet opening adjacent said one end and said means defining said vaporizing chamber defines a chamber outlet opening adjacent said one end, and means sealingly placing said soleplate and chamber openings in flow communication, thereby to place said chambering and said vaporizing chamber in flow communication with each other.
 4. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 1 in which said means defining said vaporizing chamber is a flat cartridge, said cartridge defining said elongate, tortuous chamber comprising a plurality of courses therein.
 5. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 4 in which said soleplate defines a soleplate opening adjacent said one end and said cartridge defines an overlying chamber opening adjacent said one end, a sealing gasket surrounding said openings and in sealing engagement with said cartridge and said soleplate thereby to place said openings in flow communication and to prevent the escape of steam from between said openings.
 6. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 4 in which said soleplate defines a generally flat upper surface and said heating means defines a generally flat lower surface, and said flat cartridge engages both of said flat surfaces over most of their confronting expanses thereby to heat said cartridge and to heat said soleplate.
 7. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 4 in which said cartridge is formed of a first plate defining a tortuous groove having a plurality of courses extending lengthwise of the soleplate and a second overlying plate sealed thereto, thereby to define said enclosed elongate, tortuous chamber.
 8. A commercial steam generating hand iron in accordance with claim 7 in which said soleplate defines a soleplate inlet opening adjacent said one end and said cartridge defines an overlying chamber outlet opening adjacent said one end, a sealing gasket surrounding said openings and in sealing engagement with said cartridge and with said soleplate thereby to place said openings in flow communication and to prevent the escape of steam from between said openings.
 9. A commercial, steam generating hand iron having a handle, a soleplate providing an expansive flat ironing surface and defining internal chambering for conveying steam through said soleplate to discharge apertures in said flat ironing surface, electric heating means for heating said soleplate to selected elevated temperatures, a water supply line passing through said handle for conveying water from a source remote from said iron to said iron, a water valve mounted on said iron and having a valve operating member adjacent said handle, said member being operable by an operator while said operator is holding said iron by said handle, a cartridge defining an enclosed elongate vaporizing chamber having a plurality of courses extending lengthwise of the soleplate, said cartridge being positioned between said heating means and said soleplate and being in flow communication with the chambering in said soleplate at one end of said chamber and with said water valve at its other end through overlying openings, one being in said cartridge and the other being in said soleplate at said one end, and means sealing said openings to prevent the escape of steam, conduit means for placing said vaporizing chamber and said water valve in flow communication at said other end when said valve operating member is operated, and meAns for clamping said cartridge between said heating means and said soleplate thereby to position said heating means both to heat said cartridge and said soleplate to vaporize water introduced into said vaporizing chamber and to heat the steam introduced into said chambering. 